Alfa Romeo Tipo 160

[2000 touring sp]

I was going trough some old magazines. And found this in a magazine from 1967

[italiansedanman]

Was that the intended replacement for the 159, with a flat 12? A front engined variant mind you, unlike the mid-engined prototype that we all know...

[2000 touring sp]

It was the proposal for a replacement of the 159.4 wheel drive.
You know it, the driver was placed behind the rear axle.Yes flat 12

[dretceterini]

Some components of the car were actually compleated, but the car never was, as far as I am aware...

The Tipo 159 with the driver all the way at the rear was actually compleated and tested.

[2000 touring sp]

Yes, they used a rebuild mule of 159 to test the driver position. It was tested on Monsa. But they was not able to come down to track times similar to 159. The engine was assembled but it has never run

[carlo]

The project of the Alfa Romeo Grand Prix 160 was developed simultaneously with the Disco Volantes in 1952-53.
The Racing Department that won the Formula 1 title in 1950 and 1951 was responsable for both projects.

The drawing of the engine in your article is from the Cavara book "60 vetture ai raggi X".
Like this:


I think that Colombo was involved in the Tipo 160 short before he left Alfa Romeo in 1953.

Best regards
Ciao Carlo

[carlo]

Stupid me!
I just found some additional infos, maybe interesting for some of us...






Ciao Carlo

[2000 touring sp]

yes,thats the car. According to the article it was a Busso ide. To place the driver behind the rear wheel.

[2000 touring sp]

Here is a some more from the article. The text is German language. A lot of DellOrto to ajust, the mechanic who should have done must have a terrific hearing

[dretceterini]

Interesting is that the article was by Busso himself. It was a very complicated idea, and without the funding, I can understand why the project didn't get very far.

[carlo]

Thanks for posting the rest of the German article.
It's very funny to read!

In my previous post I forgot to mention that the short attached article in post #07 is taken from an interview of Doug Nye with Consalvo Sanesi.
So in Sanesi's memories it sounded as if the car was terrible and risky to drive, BUT reading the German text it sounds the other way 'round as if Sanesi was totally enthusiastic about the project....

The headline "Begeisterter Sanesi" says that Sanesi was very euphoric, but in the text the same complains come up like in the short article.
So for me it's hard to understand that Sanesi was enthusiastic and at the same time complaining about so many stuff
It was just the lap-time that made an impression, not the character and handling of the car.

Best regards
Ciao Carlo

[italiansedanman]

Had the car some to fruition, and had more testing time it would have been very interesting to read and hear the sentiments of the drivers. Bit like sitting in a top-fuel dragster i'd imagine... with slightly more control over your direction.

Sensational looking powerplant.